According to the PR, Papercutz’ papal biography The Life of Pope John Paul II…In Comics has been nominated for a Ben Franklin Award. Winners will be announced at the Book Expo in June.

Here ye, here ye, an award for “The Life of Pope John Paul II…In Comics!” the graphic novel published by Papercutz, has been NOMINATED FOR BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL, as a finalist, by the Publishers Marketing Association, for The Benjamin Franklin 2007 Awards™.

The Benjamin Franklin 2007 Awards™ will be held at the Park Central Hotel, New York, NY, May 31, 2007, the day before the annual book industry event Book Expo America begins. Papercutz already won the 2006 Best Graphic Novel Award for the Nancy Drew graphic novel #1.

The graphic novel also features an introduction by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, who, as Prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, may soon be deciding whether or not the beloved Pope should become a Saint. The process to beatify John Paul was fast-tracked by Pope Benedict XVI, who waived the traditional five-year waiting period for the process to begin. April 2, 2007 had marked the second anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II.

Whatever the outcome, John Paul II has already achieved a form of pop culture immortality by having his life story become a graphic novel. “Unlike such major comicbook characters such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Pope truly was a real-life flesh and blood hero to millions of people,” proclaims Papercutz Editor-in-Chief Jim Salicrup. “And unlike Frank Miller’s stylized re-telling of the Battle of Thermopylae in his 300 graphic novel, the Pope’s story is completely fact-based.” So, while John Paul II as pope did indeed wear a very colorful outfit, the graphic novel doesn’t turn him into a Hollywood super-hero.

“As comics and graphic novels continue to gain respect from teachers, librarians, and the media, the perfect environment has been created to present the inspiring story of a great religious leader in both a respectful and entertaining manner,” Salicrup concludes.

This graphic novel bio was also recently selected for inclusion in the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age 2007.

And the finalists are:
Graphic Novels
Hercules, Lerner Publishing Group
The Life of Pope John Paul II… In Comics, Papercutz
Treasure Island, Stone Arch Books

WHAT? Okay… “Named in honor of America’s most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards™ recognizes excellence in independent publishing.” So I guess that major publishers don’t get to dance.

But still… wouldn’t that include Fantagraphics and/or Image? Gemstone? I don’t see them in the PMA directory, so I don’t know what the requirements for inclusion are.